Lagos seeks public’s help in locating TikToker who shared rape ordeal

The Lagos Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency is urging the public to help track down a TikTok user who recently posted about being raped in her apartment by a stranger.

The agency made the appeal in a statement on its social media accounts on Tuesday, stating it’s actively trying to reach the survivor following widespread concern over the incident.

The viral video has sparked a social media outcry, with the hashtag #StopRapingWomen trending as thousands demand urgent action against sexual assault and better protection for survivors.

The survivor, Mirabel (@mirab351 on TikTok), shared on Monday that the assault happened Sunday, February 15, after she took a drink to sleep around 6 a.m. due to insomnia, only to be woken up by knocks on her door at 9 a.m.

“I thought it was my neighbour… immediately I opened the door, I got pushed back, I hit my head on the fridge and passed out,” she said.

Regaining consciousness, “There is a man over me, there is cloth stuffed in my mouth, I was just there mumbling… it is Sunday, most people had gone to church… Later, he left. I was bleeding… He used a face blade to cut me.”

Mirabel initially mistook the bleeding for her period, but received a message request from the suspect identified as  “Priston,” who confessed, “I’m sure you don’t know me because you decided to close ur eyes even after waking up… we have met twice, and you kept ignoring me… I had to pay boys to stop the empty bike… You complimented the way I speak, and you said I smell nice, but you still refuse to give me ur number.”

He graphically described the attack, her body, using fingers and a blade to “I use the face blade cut you to simulate me being the first person there,” and warned, “My father has the money to bury the case right before it gets to court… You can’t find me, and you don’t even have the money… You gats dey knack often make man dey pound you cause why you go get baby punani… in the nearest future, maybe 4 to 5 years we would meet again and we would date… I love you, don’t see me as a bad person, okay, you turned me down twice.”

In her most recent video on Tuesday, a crying Mirabel revealed attempting suicide by drinking Sniper toxin, crediting a friend for rushing her to the hospital.

“I am too tired, I can’t respond to the message. I will respond when I get better, thank you,” she stated.

The Lagos Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) said it had “taken note of the multiple tags and public concerns regarding a video currently circulating on social media,” in which a young woman shared her alleged experience of sexual assault.

The agency emphasised that its team was “actively making efforts to reach the survivor to offer immediate support and appropriate intervention, and ascertain her location.”

It urged the public to assist in the search, adding, “If anyone has credible information that can help us reach her directly and safely, please contact the Agency by sending us a DM on any of our official social media channels.”

DSVA also reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to protecting survivors, statin, “Sexual assault is a crime, and every survivor deserves protection, care, support and justice. Reports are treated with utmost confidentiality and urgency.”